Skincare Routine Order Explained: The Correct Steps for Healthy, Glowing Skin
The Right Order Matters: A Simple Guide to Your Skincare Routine
One of the most common questions we get at Gatherwise is: “What order should I be applying my skincare products in?”
We love this question—because it opens the door to one of our favorite conversations: slowing down, tuning in, and understanding why each step matters. When you apply products in the right order, you’re not just layering textures—you’re supporting your skin’s natural function and optimizing every herb, oil, and extract to do its best work.
With my background as a CIDESCO-trained esthetician, I bring a global standard of skin knowledge to everything I create at Gatherwise. My training showed me that when you understand the why behind each step in your routine, skincare becomes less about following trends and more about working in harmony with your skin.
Let’s break it down, step by step—with insight from CIDESCO (the gold standard in international skincare education), and our Gatherwise perspective on nourishing the skin in rhythm with nature.
1. Cleanse
Start with a gentle cleanser to remove the buildup from the night (or day). Cleansing clears away impurities—sweat, excess oil, bacteria, and environmental residue—so your skin can fully receive what comes next. A clean canvas is essential for proper absorption.
Gatherwise tip:
Once your skin has become balanced—usually after 30 to 45 days of using a complete Gatherwise routine—you may be able to skip your morning face wash.
Why?
When your skin is supported and regulated, it doesn’t need to be scrubbed clean twice a day. In the morning, a splash of water followed by toner may be enough. This helps preserve your skin’s natural oils and supports your microbiome—the living layer of beneficial bacteria that keeps your skin resilient, calm, and clear. Over-washing can confuse the skin, stripping away oils that it actually needs to stay healthy.
2. Tone
Toners rebalance your skin’s pH after cleansing and prepare the skin to better absorb the next steps. They hydrate, calm, and awaken the skin.
Think of toner as a bridge—between cleansing and deeper nourishment. It’s especially powerful when it’s packed with whole plant infusions, like our Gatherwise toners, which carry the vitality of the herbs directly to your skin’s surface.
3. Serum
This is your targeted treatment step. Serums are concentrated with active ingredients to address specific skin needs—like hydration, brightening, calming, or restoring.
Because they’re designed with smaller molecular structures, serums penetrate deeply and quickly. Applying them on freshly toned, slightly damp skin allows the ingredients to go where they’re most needed—feeding your skin from the inside out.
4. Moisturize
Moisturizers lock everything in. They’re your skin’s comfort layer—creating a breathable, nourishing seal to hold hydration and actives in place while softening and protecting your skin barrier.
Why this matters:
A well-moisturized skin barrier is your first line of defense against environmental stressors. It helps your skin stay calm, plump, and luminous throughout the day.
5. Sunscreen (AM and as needed)
Daily sunscreen is non-negotiable, even when it’s cloudy. UV exposure is the leading cause of premature aging and skin damage, and skin cancer.
Why it comes after moisturizer:
Your sunscreen should be the final step of your morning skincare ritual—it sits on top to block UV rays. If applied underneath other products, it can block the serums and moisturizers from absorbing their beneficial qualities, as well as becoming diluted and less effective from sun exposure.
6. Eye Area
This is your final step - offering your delicate eye area the gentle protection from the elements all while keeping it moisturizes to limit fine lines and wrinkles. I personally think the Eye Oil is non-negotiable, as for my routine I apply morning and night.
The skin around your eyes is thinner and more delicate. If you’re using an eye oil or balm, it should come after your moisturizer so it doesn’t get pulled or rubbed away when applying heavier products.
Pro tip:
Use your ring finger to gently pat (Dab, Dab, Dab) product around the orbital bone, under eye area, and very minimally under eye brow— your ring fingers apply the least pressure and prevents unnecessary tugging on this sensitive area.
A Note on Simplifying
We believe skincare should feel like a grounding ritual, not an overwhelming routine. That’s why our Gatherwise system is designed to work synergistically—with each product supporting the next, and your skin as a whole. When your skin is in balance, you don’t need more. You need the right things, in the right order, done with care.
So whether you’re building your first skincare routine or deepening a longtime ritual, this order will guide you:
Cleanse → Tone → Serum → Moisturize → Sunscreen → Eye Care
And once your skin finds its harmony? That’s when the magic of simplicity begins. You may start your mornings with nothing but toner and step into the day knowing your skin is doing exactly what it was designed to do—protect, glow, and thrive.
Ready to find your rhythm?
Explore our Gatherwise Core Collection to build a skincare ritual rooted in nature, balance, and wisdom.
FAQ
Q: What is the correct order to apply skincare products?
A: The best skincare routine order is cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, sunscreen (AM), and eye care. This ensures maximum absorption and results.
Q: Do I need to wash my face in the morning?
A: If your skin is balanced and cleansed the night before, you can skip a morning cleanse and start your morning routine with toner to protect your natural oils and microbiome.
Q: Should sunscreen go before or after moisturizer?
A: Always apply sunscreen after moisturizer so it forms the final protective layer. Eye oil can be added on top of your sunscreen to help protect from dryness and keep that delicate area hydrated.
Q: Is toner necessary in a skincare routine?
A: Yes, toner rebalances pH, preps skin for serums, and enhances absorption while soothing skin. Our toner also adds in essential plant benefits to boost your overall tone and help correct unbalanced areas.
Q: What’s the difference between a serum and a moisturizer?
A: Serums are lightweight, concentrated treatments that penetrate deeply, while moisturizers seal hydration and protect your barrier.
